Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 3
Our main concern is still the poor snowpack structure, with November facets lingering near the ground. In many areas, those grains are now moist or wet, and overall, they’re showing fewer signs of instability.
Hard slab avalanches up to 3 feet deep are still possible in isolated, steep, upper elevation terrain with wind-loaded snow, but the likelihood of triggering has dropped to unlikely. If you see collapsing, shooting cracks, or hear a whumpf, take it seriously. Step into steeper terrain cautiously. LOW avalanche danger doesn’t mean zero danger.
A video from the Northern Bear River Range in southern Idaho showing no signs of instability yesterday.